Resources: Online Readings
Attributes of the Dervish
- He should follow his teacher’s orders without fail, and with joy.
- He should not try to test his teacher.
- He should not criticize or even think critically of the acts of his master. He should remember that all actions and words of his teacher are in accordance with the Will of Allah.
- A dervish has to know and follow the prayers, the rituals, and manners of his order as taught by his teacher. He should hold the honor and name of his order higher than anything else.
- He should show respect and obedience to men of knowledge and wisdom, Hafizes and men who serve religion and mankind. It is satanic to try to argue with men of knowledge. It should not be forgotten that the wise men are the inheritors of the prophets, and the mystical masters, the Shaykhs, are the inheritors of the Messengers of Allah. If there exist differences between the theologians and the mystics, it is on surface matters; in essence they are in agreement. As to the leaders of men, the politicians, they govern with Allah’s permission. Men are governed by those whom they deserve. If a nation is good, its governors are good. Let it not be forgotten that Allah is the curer of hearts. A dervish should not speak against the men of knowledge and the people who govern. He should consider all misfortune as his own doing and be patient and thankful for what he has, as all good and bad come from Allah.
- He should never be tyrannical or hurt people.
- He should always be ready to give everything for Allah and His Messenger and His Faith.
- All existence should be pleased with the dervish.
- A dervish should have in one hand Allah’s Book and in the other the Traditions of the Messenger of Allah. He should wear on his head the crown of Faith, and on his back the cloak of Religious Law. His eyes should see lessons, and his tongue should say the Rememberance of Allah. Around his waist he should wear the belt of service to humanity, in his heart he should have compassion for Allah’s Creation and love and fear of Allah, and his feet should be in attendance to serve. In his hand he should hold the art of service to others. His ear should hear only the truth. His mind should be occupied with the temporariness of the world and the eternity which is the afterlife. Above all, he should at all times be ready for the trip from this temporal world to the eternal world.
- He should have his ablution at all places and at all times.
- He should continue to ask for mercy and forgiveness of Allah with every breath, and never forget his sins and wrongdoings. He should ask for redemption, and shed tears for his wrongdoings. Above all he must understand that it is his previous sins that cause new sins to come (as punishment for not asking forgiveness), and he should accept that his sins belong to him while the good that he does belongs to Allah.
- If he misses a prayer he should remember that this is a punishment for a wrongdoing.
- If an ugly act occurs through him, he should not forget that it is due to his past actions. (He is being used by Allah.)
- He should not overeat or sit at the table before he is hungry, and he should leave the table before he is full. He should wash his hands before and after every meal. When he takes his ablutions, he should brush his teeth.
